There are two qualifiers for membership in the VFW, as set out in our National Bylaws. An individual must meet both in order to become a member. They are as follows:
1: Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and either received a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) or be currently serving.
2: Service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters*. This can be proven by any of the following
– An authorized campaign medal (see a full list of qualifying medals and badges)
–Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay (verified by a military pay statement)
Campaign medals that qualify you for VFW Membership
• China Service Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal • American Campaign Medal •
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Combat Medical Badge
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Air Force Combat Action Medal
• Combat Action Badge
• SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia
• Korea Defense Service Medal
• Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon WITH GOLD BORDER
• Korea Duty (Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days)
–
– Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days
*This information is usually available through a veteran’s DD-214. If other information is needed or if a veteran’s DD-214 is not complete, they can contact the National Personnel Records Center online or at 314.801.0800 to request more information.
More detailed information on VFW eligibility can be accessed here. For any questions regarding VFW eligibility, please contact the Membership Department at membership@vfw.org or by calling 1-888-JOIN-VFW (564-6839) for assistance
To see additional eligibility criteria or to join click the link below
If you are not eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars but you have a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, or spouse who would be eligible then you may apply for membership in the VFW Auxiliary. You can learn more at vfwauxiliary.org.